The Most Popular Resorts in Ari Atoll

1 LUX* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas

Best Experience for:  Couples, Families, Value, Diving, Dining, Whale Shark Watching, weddings, All Inclusive

If you’ve fantasized about living a–lavish–Robinson Crusoe life on a faraway tropical island, you’re in the right place. Cutting-edge designer villas and world-class dining can be found only a 30-minute seaplane transfer away from Malé Airport, making LUX* South Ari Atoll one of the most exciting resorts in the Maldives. Here, you will ride your bicycle along the jetty, swim alongside whale sharks, hang out in your bungalow on stilts, dine at any of the eight restaurants, dance the night away, partake in marine conservation. The luxe resort has a PADI-certified dive centre, two infinity pools, a floodlit tennis court, a fitness centre and a renowned spa. Whatever it is you love, you’ll find it here at LUX* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas. READ FULL REVIEW

2 Constance Halaveli

Best Experience:  Family, Beach, Diving, Spa

With one of the longest water villa jetties, luxurious facilities for families and 5-star diving, Constance Halaveli has everything you would expect from a luxury resort in the Maldives. With a shape of a curved dhoni (a traditional Maldivian boat), where white sandy beaches in combination with turquoise water, perfectly contrast with the emerald of green vegetation, the resort elegantly drifts in North Ari Atoll. For a luxury family escape, Constance Halaveli is one of the best. Even the natural environment, with its gently sloping lagoon and wide beaches, will suit little ones. The “Kuda Club” welcomes children aged from 4 to 12 years with age-related activities, both outdoor and indoor. Read Full Review

3 Kuramathi Maldives

Best Experience:  Couples, Family, Beach, Diving, House Reef Snorkeling

Strips of pristine beaches, world-class diving, fine dining and knockout spa, Kuramathi Maldives is rated one of the best hotels in the Maldives and with good reason. Kuramathi is one of the Maldives' most popular resorts and it's perfect if you're looking for variety alongside relaxation. Here, pathways weave through lush foliage, leading to the excellent facilities that are dotted around this large island. There are two oceanfront infinity pools plus a lagoon-style pool shaded by palm trees, and snorkelling on the stunning house reef is possible straight from the beach Read Full Review

4 Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Best Experience:  for Couples, for Families, Beaches, Spa, Gourmet Dining

This luxurious and sophisticated Maldivian resort is located on two idyllic islands combining the best beaches and over-water accommodation, both with dense vegetation and palm trees that create a natural tropical paradise. Suitable for couples and families alike, Conrad is all about glamorous splendor in a luxury setting with some of the most exciting underwater adventures in the Maldives. The two private islands connected by a 500m bridge and both are designed for true enjoyment. A wine and dine destination itself, Conrad Maldives is a true epicurean experience with a choice of 12 restaurants and bars, including Ithaa, the world's first all glass underwater restaurant. On a delicate theme - what to do in Conrad Maldives - guests do not have a headache, every day is filled with fun activities and busy with exciting entertainments. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has many excellent facilities to offer including a fully equipped gym, a spa, infinity pool, eight restaurants, three bars, a library, yoga, PADI dive centre, water sports centre, and a Kid's Club. Located in the South Ari Atoll, Conrad Rangali is accessible by a 30-minute seaplane flight or a short domestic flight to a nearby island, followed by speedboat transfer. Read Full Review

5 Kandolhu Maldives

Best Experience:   Honeymoon, House Reef Snorkeling & Diving

Kandolhu Maldives guarantees even more than just your dreams of an unforgettable honeymoon in the Maldives. Soaked in romance, with an incredible house reef snorkeling, couples are bound to fall in love with this cozy island. Those who have heard of Kandholhu Island know that this is one of the best house reef in the Maldives. Only resorts in the country's southern atolls can compare or surpass. An additional draw is clean and soft sandy beaches, all around a small round island whose shape in Maldivian standards is a rarity. So snorkeling is the best you can find between your water villa, the beach and the many restaurants of this 5 * boutique hotel. Read Full Review

6 Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort

Best Experience:   Honeymoon, all inclusive, swimming with Whale Sharks, Diving

A very special place, Maafushivaru is a unique island getaway that epitomizes all that one dreams of when thinking of the Maldives. Located in South Ari Atoll, the boutique resort is one of the best all inclusive destinations in the Maldives. Combining a Maldivian paradise with contemporary indulgences, a rays, reef sharks, fish, and curious herons are the common attractions in the lagoon area, and the island’s location in the southern tip of the picturesque atoll of Ari is ideal for spotting whale sharks and mantas year round.

Designed for couples seeking to rekindle their romance, outstanding and unique amenities include a chic lounge at Malé Airport, an infinity swimming pool with a large bar, a laser show, a large overwater spa and gym, and a modest wine bar. Located in the same lagoon as Maafushivaru, just minutes away, is Lonubo, a stunning deserted islet, exclusively for the use of Maafushivaru guests. The Dine Around All Inclusive meal plan ("DAA") is highly recommended. With the DAA plan you get to eat and drink where you want, whatever you want, and how much you want as well as an other nice additions. Read Full Review

7 Constance Moofushi Maldives

Best Experience:  All Inclusive, Honeymoon, Beach, Diving

A fantastic island paradise surrounded by large turquoise lagoons and teasing white beaches, Constance Moofushi combines primitive simplicity with the highest standards of luxury and service. Opened in 2010 and since becoming a hit in the Maldives, Constance Moofushi is located in South Ari atoll - one of the best diving sites in the world with hypnotic marine life and a vibrant underwater world full of incredible colors. With the ubiquitous stamp of "wedding-honeymoon" in the Maldives, Constance Moofushi famous golden beaches, romantic villas and brilliant gastronomy. Generous prices all inclusive holiday mood and DJ music will push you to throw the purse into the sea and break your passport to never leave this place. Constance Moofushi Maldives is situated on the South Ari Atoll and is widely regarded as one of the best diving spots in the world. The Resort combines the Crusoe Chic Barefoot elegance of a deluxe resort with the highest standards of Constance Hotels and Resorts.  Read Full Review

8 Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa

Best Experience:   for Couples, Family holiday, House Reef Snorkeling & Diving, Value, All Inclusive

With one of the best house reefs in the Maldives, the great strengths of Vilamendhoo have always been snorkeling and diving, and affordable accommodation. With 184 rooms, Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa is a luxury resort on a private island with a magnificent green and cozy landscape. From fourteen themed daily buffet nights to variety of beverage menus, from house-reef snorkelling to daily dive and waters ports, guest can indulge in any choice of experiences. The resort boasts two swimming pools, as well as sports fields, a spa scattered throughout the island which is divided into the family and "adults only" areas. With a great All Inclusive packege - ​​it's a romantic, quiet choice for couples and families alike. READ FULL REVIEW

9 Lily Beach Resort and Spa - All Inclusive

Best Experience:   for Families, House Reef Snorkeling, All Inclusive

Today, Lily Beach Resort and Spa ranks among the leading resorts in the country with Premium All Inclusive, which was the result of an excellent redesign and reconstruction of the hotel. Reopened in 2009 as a 5-star resort, Lily Beach is a romantic place for a family holiday with All Inclusive that includes food, drinks and various activities. The stylish and spacious rooms have open air bathrooms with hydromassage baths, outdoor terraces with direct access to the ocean or to the beach, as well as other facilities: from sunscreen and quality toiletries to the packed mini bars and large flat-screen TVs. The resort's family facilities include a kid's buffet in the restaurant, a swimming pool and a game club. Active guests can enjoy land and water sports, while couples have many romantic options and places to seclude.  Read Full Review

10 Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa

Best Experience: Couples, Family holiday, Over-Water Vollas, Spa, All Inclusive, swimming with whale sharks

Given the need for the Maldives in the 5-star family premium all inclusive hotels, Centara built one from scratch in South Ari atoll (dismantling what used to be Machchafushi). Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa is a perfect match for honeymooners, families and groups on incentives trips, and has a reputation for hosting renewal of vows on its idyllic sandy beach surrounded by lazy palms and sparkling azure waters. The hotel does not look like a typical Maldivian resort, but it works brilliantly. Today, Centara Grand competes on an equal footing with Lily Beach and slightly behind Constance Moofushi.

The Centara has a variety of facilities awaits adults and younger guests, and the latter will enjoy a children’s pool and the Kids’ Club with supervised Camp Safari for the youngsters and E-Zone entertainment zone for those in their teens. The resort has an attractive beach pool with a shallow children's section, a beautiful but expensive Thai Cenvaree SPA (guests receive a daily $ 100 resort credit that buys a 30-minute massage) and a fitness center overlooking the ocean, built on stilts over the lagoon. Guests can snorkel right next to the beach on the beautiful reef house, and the nearest site offers interesting rack-diving. A children's club with a playground is provided for free, and the games room offers snooker, billiards, ping-pong and table hockey. Other offers include beach volleyball, a tennis court, a souvenir shop and emergency medical services out from the crowd. Read Full Review

Related stories

• Everything You Need to Know about Ari Atoll
• Top 10 Best Ari Atoll All Inclusive Hotels
• 10 Best Ari Atoll Family Hotels
• 10 Best Ari Atoll Honeymoon Hotels
• 10 Best Ari Atoll Snorkeling Resorts